System and method for resource sharing and playing device thereof

ABSTRACT

A system and a method for resource sharing and a playing device thereof are provided. The system for resource sharing includes a playing device and a first electronic device. Wherein, the playing device has a wireless connecting function, the communication unit of the first electronic device searches a valid wireless access point (AP) in a specific area, the first electronic device is connected to the first wireless AP found for obtaining the first ID data from the first wireless AP, the first ID data is then transmitted to the playing device. The first ID data is then provided from the playing device to the first wireless AP for an authorization and establishing a connection. After an electronic device is connected to the first wireless AP, the electronic device accesses the playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless AP and the playing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 100149266, filed on Dec. 28, 2011. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method for resource sharing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method for resource sharing of a playing device, adapted for an area with a wireless access point.

2. Description of Related Art

In the present days, with improvement of wireless communication technology, wireless communication of the home digital devices has became one of the major concerns in the field. In the past, the sound bar and the electronic devices are connected via physical cables in an one-to-one manner. With the growth of the wireless sound bar that enables the implementation of the “Digital Home” concept, multiple electronic devices that require audio playing via the sound bar may be used in a family. In the conventional art, short-range modes such as Bluetooth and infrared are commonly used for wireless transmission. Due to the restriction of the short-range, it is not convenient that the electronic devices still need to be placed adjacent to the wireless sound bar for audio playing. Therefore, allowing multiple electronic devices to effectively access to playing resources of a single sound bar without being restricted by the short-range has became another major concern to the wireless home digital devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for resource sharing, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection to a electronic device for resource sharing, wherein the electronic device has a wireless network communication interface, and a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point, the system including: a playing device and a first electronic device. Wherein, the playing device has a wireless connecting function, the communication unit of the first electronic device searches a valid wireless access point in said area. The first electronic device connects to the first wireless access point found to obtain the first ID data from the first wireless access point, and then the first ID data is then transmitted to the playing device. The playing device provides the first ID data from to the first wireless access point for an authorization and establishes a connection. The electronic device uses the playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device after the electronic device is connected to the first wireless access point.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the playing device further performs a comparing process with the first ID data, if the result of the comparing process is matched, the playing device starts the connection with the first wireless access point.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said playing device has a second ID data; the first ID data includes a first SSID, a first WPA, and a first encoding rule, existed between the first SSID and the first WPA; the second ID data includes a second SSID, a second WPA and a second encoding rule, existed between the second SSID and the second WPA; the playing device in the comparing process determines whether the first encoding rule and the second encoding rule is matched.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said first electronic device has a display unit for displaying an operating interface, the first electronic device transmits the first ID data to the playing device after a specific command is executed by a user via the operating interface.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said playing device is a sound bar, for receiving and playing desired audio signals from the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said first SSID is a MAC address of the first wireless access point, and the second SSID is a MAC address of the playing device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said first electronic device includes a television device, and said display unit is the screen of the television device.

The present invention provides a playing device, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection to an electronic device for playing resource sharing, wherein a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point. The playing device including: a receiving unit and a control unit. Wherein, the receiving unit has a wireless network communication interface, for receiving the first ID data transmitted from the first electronic device. The control unit, coupled with the receiving unit, the first ID data is transmitted from the receiving unit to the first wireless access point for an authorization, wherein the control unit establishes a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point, and the electronic device connects to the first wireless access point and uses the playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device.

The present invention provides a method for resource sharing, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection between an electronic device and a playing device for playing resource sharing of the playing device, wherein the electronic device has a wireless network communication interface, and a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point, the method including the following steps: searching a valid wireless access point in the area by a communication unit of a first electronic device, and obtaining the first wireless access point. Connecting the electronic device to the first wireless access point, and obtaining the first ID data, and transmitting the first ID data from the first electronic device to the playing device. Transmitting the first ID data to the playing device. Providing the first ID data from the playing device to the first wireless access point for an authorization and establishing a connection. The electronic device uses the playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device after the electronic device in the area is connected to the first wireless access point.

Based on above, the present invention provides a system and a method for resource sharing and a playing device thereof. The system and the method for resource sharing allow one specific electronic device to establish a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point. This mechanism allows other electronic devices in the area to connect the first wireless access point so the electronic devices within the area may access the playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device.

In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention more comprehensible, embodiments accompanying figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a system for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a system for resource sharing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a functional block diagram of a first electronic device of a system for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a flow chart of a method for resource sharing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a system for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The resource sharing system 100 includes a first wireless access point 110, an electronic device 120, an electronic device 130, a first electronic device 140 and a playing device 150. Wherein, the electronic device 120 and electronic device 130 may be electronic devices with wireless network communication interface and audio files playing requirement, such as desktop computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, smart phone, PDA. The first electronic device 140 may be a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a PDA and a television or any electronic devices having a screen. Wherein, the first electronic device 140 has a communication unit 142, configured to search a valid wireless access point in a specific area. The playing device 150 may be a sound bar with wireless connecting function, configured to receive and broadcast desired audio signals from the electronic device 120, the electronic device 130 and the first electronic device 140.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a system for resource sharing according to another embodiment of the present invention. Except that the playing device 150 further includes a receiving unit 152 and a control unit 154, the system for resource sharing in FIG. 1B is similar to the system for resource sharing of FIG. 1A. The receiving unit 152 has a wireless network communication interface, for receiving and transmitting signal packages. The control unit 154 is coupled with receiving unit 152, configured to establish a connection between the playing device 150 and other electronic devices. The control unit 154 may be implemented with a hardware circuit framework, a software or a firmware. Overall, the resource sharing system 100 is configured to share playing resource of the playing device 150 with multiple electronic devices (such as the electronic device 120 and the electronic device 130). After the playing device 150 is connected to the first wireless access point 110, multiple electronic devices are able to connect the first wireless access point 110 via wireless network, and then access to playing resources of the playing device 150.

FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please referring to FIG. 1B and FIG. 2A together, the communication unit 142 of the first electronic device 140 searches a valid wireless access point in an area and obtains the first wireless access point 110 upon searching (step S210). Next, the first electronic device 140 is connected to the first wireless access point 110, and a first ID data of the first wireless access point 110 is obtained (step S220). Wherein the first ID data includes a first SSID (service set identifier) and a first WPA (WiFi protected access). Wherein the first SSID is a MAC address (media access control address) of the first wireless access point, and a first encoding rule is existed in between the first SSID and the first WPA.

FIG. 1C is a functional block diagram of the first electronic device 140 of the system for resource sharing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first electronic device 140 may be a television device. As shown in FIG. 1C, a display unit 145 is a screen of the television device, an operating interface 147 is displayed on the display unit 145. After step S220, users may execute a specific command via the operating interface 147. For example, playing resource sharing function of the playing device 150 may be easily activate by users via a dialog on the operating interface 147 which displays a “Activate resource sharing for the playing device?” message. In the present embodiment, user may select an option on the dialog via a remote controller. If a “Yes” button displayed on the screen is selected by users, the first ID data is then sent to the playing device 150 via the first electronic device 140 (step S230).

Next, after the first ID data is received by the receiving unit 152 of the playing device 150, the first ID data is then sent to the first wireless access point 110. An authorization and a connection is performed between the control unit 154 and the wireless access point 110 (step S240). After the connection is established, the electronic device 120 or the electronic device 130 in the area is then connected to the first wireless access point 110 (step S250). The electronic device 120 or the electronic device 130 is now able to access playing resource of the playing device 150 via the connection between the first wireless access point 110 and the playing device 150 (step S260).

FIG. 2B is a flow chart of a method for resource sharing according to another embodiment of the present invention. Except a comparing process of an advanced authorization between step S230 and step S240, the flow chart in FIG. 2B is similar to the flow chart in FIG. 2A. If a result of the operating operation is matched, the playing device 150 is then started to connect the first wireless access point 110. In the present embodiment, a second ID data is stored in the playing device 150. The second ID data includes a second SSID and a second WPA, and a second encoding rule is existed in between the second SSID and the second WPA. Wherein, the second SSID is a MAC address of the playing device 150.

The encoding rules mentioned above are described in more detail below. For example, the first SSID is a 6 byte (48 bit) MAC address of the network card with a 6 sets of hexadecimal numbers. In this example, assumed that the MAC address is 68:10:01:10:12:78. Next, perform a specific encoding using decimal addition to the 6 sets of hexadecimal numbers. For example, create a WPA with a sequence of numbers arranged in following order: the sum of the first 2 sets of numbers (i.e. 68+10), followed by the sum of the next 2 sets of numbers (i.e. 01+10) and the sum of the last 2 sets of numbers (i.e. 12+78). As a result, the WPA is 781190. Namely, such arrangement is the first encoding rule of the present embodiment. The encoding rule between the first SSID and the first WPA is not limited by said arrangement, and a different setup may be applied based on the demand.

In other words, the control unit 154 of the playing device 150 may compare and determine whether the first encoding rule of the first wireless access point 110 is matched to the second encoding rule of the playing device 150 (step S235). If the result of the comparing process is matched, proceed to the operation of step S240. The remaining steps in FIG. 2B are the same with steps in FIG. 2A, so it will not be described herein.

In view of above, the present invention provides a system and a method for resource sharing and a playing device thereof. The system and the method for resource sharing allow a specific electronic device to establish a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point. This mechanism allows other electronic devices in the area to connect the first wireless access point so the electronic devices in the area may access playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device. For example, with the above-mention mechanism, users may easily connect multiple electronic devices in their family with an authorized playing device via wireless network connection.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed descriptions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for resource sharing, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection to an electronic device for resource sharing, wherein the electronic device has a wireless network communication interface, and a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point, the system comprising: a playing device, having a wireless connecting function; a first electronic device, having a communication unit for searching a valid wireless access point in the area, connecting the first electronic device to the first wireless access point found, obtaining the first ID data from the first wireless access point, and transmitting the first ID data to the playing device; and wherein the playing device provides the first ID data to the first wireless access point for authorization and establishes a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point, wherein the electronic device connects to the first wireless access point and uses playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device.
 2. The system for resource sharing of claim 1, wherein: the playing device further performs a comparing process with the first ID data, if a result of the comparing process is matched, the playing device starts the connection with the first wireless access point.
 3. The system for resource sharing of claim 2, wherein: a second ID data is stored in the playing device; the first ID data comprises a first SSID, a first WPA, and a first encoding rule, existed between the first SSID and the first WPA; the second ID data comprises a second SSID, a second WPA and a second encoding rule, existed between the second SSID and the second WPA; the playing device in the comparing process determines whether the first encoding rule and the second encoding rule is matched.
 4. The system for resource sharing of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device has a display unit for displaying an operating interface, the first electronic device transmits the first ID data to the playing device after a specific command is executed by a user via the operating interface.
 5. The system for resource sharing of claim 1, wherein the playing device is a sound bar, for receiving and playing desired audio signals from the electronic device.
 6. The system for resource sharing of claim 3, wherein the first SSID is a MAC address of the first wireless access point, and the second SSID is a MAC address of the playing device.
 7. The system for resource sharing of claim 4, wherein the first electronic device comprises a television device, and the display unit is the screen of the television device.
 8. A playing device, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection to an electronic device for playing resource sharing, wherein a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point, the first ID data is received by a first electronic device after the first electronic device is connected to the first wireless access point, the playing device comprising: a receiving unit, having a wireless network communication interface, for receiving the first ID data transmitted from the first electronic device; and a control unit, coupled with the receiving unit, the first ID data is transmitted from the receiving unit to the first wireless access point for an authorization, wherein the control unit establishes a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point, and the electronic device connects to the first wireless access point and uses playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device.
 9. The playing device of claim 8, wherein: the control unit further performs a comparing process with the first ID data, if a result of the comparing process is matched, the playing device starts the connection with the first wireless access point.
 10. The playing device of claim 9, wherein: a second ID data is stored in the playing device; the first ID data comprises a first SSID, a first WPA, and a first encoding rule, existed between the first SSID and the first WPA; the second ID data comprises a second SSID, a second WPA and a second encoding rule, existed between the second SSID and the second WPA; the control unit of the playing device in the comparing process determines whether the first encoding rule and the second encoding rule is matched.
 11. The playing device of claim 8, wherein the playing device is a sound bar, for receiving and playing desired audio signals from the electronic device.
 12. A method for resource sharing, adapted for use in an area with a first wireless access point and to provide a connection between an electronic device and a playing device for playing resource sharing of the playing device, wherein the electronic device has a wireless network communication interface, and a first ID data is stored in the first wireless access point, the method comprising: searching a valid wireless access point in the area by a communication unit of a first electronic device, and obtaining the first wireless access point; connecting the first electronic device to the first wireless access point, and obtaining the first ID data; transmitting the first ID data from the first electronic device to the playing device; providing the first ID data from the playing device to the first wireless access point for an authorization and establishing a connection; and connecting the electronic device to the first wireless access point, wherein the electronic device uses playing resource of the playing device via the connection between the first wireless access point and the playing device.
 13. The method for resource sharing of claim 12, further comprising: performing a comparing process by the playing device with the first ID data; and starting a connection between the playing device and the first wireless access point if a result of the comparison process is matched.
 14. The method for resource sharing of claim 13, wherein: a second ID data is stored in the playing device; the first ID data comprises a first SSID, a first WPA, and a first encoding rule, existed between the first SSID and the first WPA; the second ID data comprises a second SSID, a second WPA and a second encoding rule, existed between the second SSID and the second WPA; the playing device in the comparing process determines whether the first encoding rule and the second encoding rule is matched.
 15. The resource sharing method of claim 12, wherein the first electronic device has a display unit for displaying an operating interface, the first ID data is transmitted from the first electronic device to the playing device after a specific command is executed by a user via the operating interface.
 16. The method for resource sharing of claim 12, wherein the playing device is a sound bar, for receiving and playing desired audio signals from the electronic device.
 17. The method for resource sharing of claim 14, wherein the first SSID is a MAC address of the first wireless access point, and the second SSID is a MAC address of the playing device.
 18. The method for resource sharing of claim 15, wherein the first electronic device comprises a television device, and the display unit is the screen of the television device. 